Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste - ccme.ca

1 Strategy ON zero Plastic Waste . PN 1583. Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment, 2018. Approved in principle by CCME Council of Ministers November 23, 2018. 1 CONTEXT. Introduction Plastics are low cost, durable materials used by Canadians on a daily basis. Along with their unrivalled functionality, they provide significant benefits to the Canadian economy and quality of life. For example, they can reduce the energy and greenhouse gas emissions needed to transport goods and products; be a contributing factor to improved health outcomes, as well as reduce food Waste by prolonging the life of perishable items; and they can provide durable, high performance materials for use in construction, textile and other sectors. Their production and use is growing faster than any other material due to their many practical uses. However, some of the characteristics that make plastics so valuable also create major challenges for their end-of-life management in order to avoid creating Waste and its release into the environment.

2 The low costs of producing and disposing of plastics have increased the amount of disposable Plastic products and packaging entering the consumer market, where over half are designed to be used once and thrown away. Today, an estimated 95% of the material value of Plastic packaging, or between $100 and $150 billion dollars annually, is lost to the global economy after only a single use. In addition, plastics' durability, combined with inadequate incentives and infrastructure to recover and recycle this material (globally, only 14% of Plastic is collected for recycling) are at the root of an exponentially increasing global environmental problem. Globally, it is estimated that about 8 million tonnes of Plastic Waste enters the oceans every year from land. Without additional action and at current rates of consumption and production, this could more than double by 2025. This pollution harms wildlife, damages habitats and fisheries, and can transfer contaminants throughout the food chain.

3 It results in at least $13 billion of damage to marine ecosystems worldwide every year and represents an even greater loss of economic value. The global marine litter and Plastic pollution problem, as well as concerns about increasing consumerism and Waste , continue to gain media attention worldwide. Working on innovative solutions to address global Plastic Waste is vital for protecting our oceans, lakes, waterways and natural environment. Redefining Plastic Waste as a valuable commodity presents an economic opportunity to conserve resources and build on our competitiveness. In addition, improving Plastic recycling rates will reduce GHG emissions. Canadians can show global leadership by moving to a more circular plastics economy one which captures and retains the value of plastics across their lifecycle. Working together to change how plastics are used and managed will increase prosperity and protect the environment. International commitments Plastic Waste and marine litter have emerged alongside climate change as a global environmental priority, creating increasing momentum for change.

4 Many international organisations have advanced global commitments and initiatives to prevent and reduce Plastic Waste and marine litter. The G7 and G20, for example, have adopted marine litter action plans to focus their efforts. Related work has been underway in many other international fora, including the United Nations Environment Program, International Marine Organization, and the Food and Agriculture Organization. Through the United Nations, countries committed to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, notably target to prevent and significantly reduce marine litter by 2025 and goal 12 to ensure 1. Approved in principle by CCME Council of Ministers November 23, 2018. sustainable consumption and production patterns. In 2017, nearly 200 nations signed a United Nations Environment Assembly resolution stressing the importance of long-term elimination of Plastic Waste in the oceans. Work towards a circular economy model for plastics accelerated in 2018.

5 Canada as G7 President introduced the Ocean Plastics Charter, and initiatives by the World Economic Forum, the OECD. Global Forum on Plastics in a Circular Economy, the European Commission on a European Strategy for Plastics in the Circular Economy led the way. Many countries, states, provinces and municipalities have committed to reducing Plastic Waste , including setting ambitious recycling targets or restricting some single use products such as Plastic bags and take-out containers. Industry is also taking a leadership role through global public commitments that range from recycled content targets, to designing products for recyclability and reuse, producing alternative resins and developing new recycling technologies. Canadian leadership Building on international momentum, Canada launched an Ocean Plastics Charter as part of its 2018 G7 presidency, under the theme of ocean health and marine litter. Adopted by several countries and organisations as a blueprint for action, it advances ambitious targets and solutions for global action in five areas: i) sustainable Plastic design, production and markets, ii) Waste collection, management and infrastructure, iii).

6 Sustainable lifestyles and education, iv) research and innovation and, v) coastal and shoreline clean- up. Canada also announced it will invest $100 million to support developing countries to develop and implement sound Waste management systems and prevent Plastic Waste from entering the environment, address Plastic Waste on shorelines, and better manage Plastic resources. 2. Approved in principle by CCME Council of Ministers November 23, 2018. Domestically, federal, provincial and territorial governments have worked together to create this CCME zero Plastic Waste G7 CHARLEVOIX. Strategy . The Strategy lays out the areas for action that are BLUEPRINT. important for Canada, and are consistent with areas presented in OCEAN PLASTICS. the Ocean Plastics Charter. The Strategy builds on the input CHARTER TARGETS. received from stakeholders, and the public through federally-led consultations and CCME engagement activities. Environment and Climate Change Canada received over 1,900 comments Working with industry through its on-line consultation on Plastic Waste , and these were towards 100% reusable, supplemented by a number of substantive letters and petitions recyclable, or, where viable by stakeholder groups 1.

7 Over 700 stakeholders were invited to alternatives do not exist, participate in a CCME on-line survey, and over 220 stakeholders recoverable, plastics by provided detailed responses. 2030. Working with industry Canada's domestic approach will build on a vast array of towards increasing government programs and regulations, as well as voluntary recycled content by at least initiatives by industry, community and environment 50% in Plastic products organisations. Collaboration under the Canadian Council of where applicable by 2030. Ministers of the Environment (CCME), in particular through Working with industry and continued implementation of existing initiatives such as the other orders of Canada-wide Action Plan on Extended Producer Responsibility government, to recycle and reuse at least 55% of (CCME, 2009), serves as a foundation for the transformation Plastic packaging by 2030. ahead. The implementation of this Strategy will be done within and recover 100% of all the jurisdictional authority of each order of government and a plastics by 2040.

8 Future action plan will identify complementary measures Working with industry between governments. The action plan will also outline industry towards reducing the use of and other stakeholders' commitments, roles and responsibilities. Plastic microbeads in rinse- off cosmetics and personal Taking action to eliminate Plastic Waste is part of Canada's care consumer products, to larger move to a more circular and low carbon economy, where the extent possible by 2020, and addressing other we use our valuable natural resources as efficiently as possible sources of microplastics. and decrease our greenhouse gas emissions. 1. Plastic - 3. Approved in principle by CCME Council of Ministers November 23, 2018. 2 CANADA'S VISION FOR PLASTICS IN A CIRCULAR ECONOMY. Recognising the important role of plastics in our economy, this Strategy lays out a path to treat this material as an ever-valuable resource and defines areas of work that will contribute to reaching the ambitious Plastic Waste reduction targets laid out in the Ocean Plastics Charter.

9 The Strategy and its implementation will be an important contribution to achieving both a circular and low-carbon economy and reducing the impact of Plastic Waste on the environment. It is expected to be a driver for innovation and create opportunities that will increase our competitiveness in new business models, product design solutions, and Waste prevention and recovery technologies. A vital element in its success will be the involvement of individuals, industry, stakeholder organisations across Canada, and all orders of government as partners in reaching zero Plastic Waste . A circular economy approach The flow of materials and energy in the Canadian economy is mostly linear as we extract resources, transform them into products and then dispose the vast majority of them as Waste . In contrast, a circular economy aims to keep products and materials in use as long as possible and to maximize their value. This system closes the loop in use of natural resources by reducing, reusing, repairing, remanufacturing, recycling and composting materials or, if no other option exists, recovering energy at their end of life.

10 Studies suggest that by 2030 circular economy strategies could deliver more than USD4 trillion in global economic benefits, while reducing GHG emissions and primary resource consumption by 30-40 percent. Canada is moving toward a circular economy for plastics by pursuing zero Plastic Waste . The vision is to keep all plastics in the economy and out of the environment. While there are well- established Waste management programs, the systems need to be improved in order to move away from the existing situation whereby more than 89% of our plastics are landfilled and incinerated. As illustrated, the Strategy recognises the interdependence of three areas of activity as elements of an integrated system: prevention, collection and clean-up, and value recovery. The system's performance must be supported and improved by a wide range of enabling activities such as consumer education, research, regulations and market-based instruments in order to achieve the zero Plastic Waste goal.